Category: Class

More People to Stick to New Year’s Resolutions

B1 – Intermediate

A New Year’s resolution is an opportunity to gauge our goals or to try something different for the new year. What are some of the changes that you want to happen?

Read the article to know some interesting facts about New Year’s resolutions. Be ready to do some of the speaking activities included in the article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1601/160103-new-years-resolutions.html

 Discussion Questions:

  1. Why don’t people keep their New Year’s resolutions?
  2. Why do young people make more resolutions than old people?
  3. What are the good and bad things about New Year’s resolutions?
  4. Are New Year’s resolutions useful? Why or why not?
  5. What is one goal or resolution you have this year?

The Second Lives of Swiss bunkers

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C1 – Advanced

Bunkers, especially from war, will always give you an eerie and strange feeling. In Switzerland, however, some people were actually able to utilize them as way of profit.

Click on the title below to look at the photos and read the article on how some Swiss bunkers were brought back to life. Be ready to discuss some words and expressions.

The fascinating second lives of Swiss bunkers (one is a mushroom farm)

Discuss:

1. What do you think of re-using old bunkers like the Swiss did?
2. Would you stay at a hotel like Hotel Zero?
3. Have you ever been to a place which was an important part of history?
4. Describe some of the strange places that you have visited in the past.

The Magic of Tidying Up

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Are you one of those people who always has a messy room? You have so many stuff but you just don’t know how to throw them out.

Read the article below and see how easy it is to organize and live in a place with space for you to finally breathe, relax and think.

The magic of tidying up: your guide to getting your place clean once and for all

Discuss:

1. How do you organize your things?
2. Is it easy for you to do housework or household chores?
3. What other tips can you think of on how to tidy up a room?

One School, Five Languages

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Jobs in the future will require people to be able to speak more than one language. Some schools in New York are providing dual language programs. What are your thoughts on being a polyglot?

One School, Five Languages

Discuss:

1. How many languages can you speak fluently?
2. Do you think that one day there will be just one language in the world? Would the world be a better place?
3. Are there any disadvantages in learning another language?
4. What are the advantages of being able to speak more than one language?

Kids To Start Doing Chores

C1 – Advanced

Some parents are so occupied with letting their kids do activities that will help them be successful individuals in the future. Who would have thought that those expensive personality development courses can be outweighed by doing household chores when it comes to predicting success?

Science Has Figured Out The Best Age For Kids To Start Doing Chores

Discuss:
1. Do you agree with the idea presented in this article?
2. What other activities can help develop a child’s personality and character?
3. How do you think doing household chores as a child helped you in life?

The Struggle to Stay Child-Free

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C1 – Advanced

In many countries, it seems like having a child or children is the most important thing. Some women spoke up about the hardships that they encountered upon deciding not to have children and are telling the world about it.

The struggle to stay child-free

Discuss:

1. In your old age would you want your children to look after you?
2. Is having children the norm in your country?
3. In other countries, like Iran, educated women see having children as a burden. What is your reaction to this?

Home Schoolers On the Rise

B1 – Intermediate

What enters your mind when someone mentions the term “Home School”?

Read the article below to know more about what home schooling is and how some parents consider this education option.  Be ready to do the speaking activities in this article with your teacher.

More and more families are choosing to teach their children at home. Although some families disagree or dislike with what is taught in schools, the reason for the new trend is different. Instead, home schooling better fits their lifestyles than public schools.

For example, Lisa Mazzoni and her family live in California and Florida. Lisa sometimes does her algebra or history homework by the pool or on her condo’s rooftop. Lisa’s mother says, “For someone who travels a lot and wants to keep the family together, it’s an excellent choice.” The Mazzonis own a speedboat company, and so they must travel frequently.

Private teachers cost about $70 to $110 an hour, though. Supporters see in-home teaching as the chance to give children the best schooling with flexible schedules. However, some believe that children don’t have the chance to build friendships and social skills. Group lessons, such as ballet or sports, may help, but the results aren’t clear.

There are many companies that supply teachers and materials, which makes it easier for families to choose home schooling. Tiffany Wheeler, another home schooler, explains it best. “It’s fun,” she says as she sits relaxed at her bedroom desk.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some reasons that you would want to home school your child?
2. What are some reasons that you wouldn’t want to home school your child?
3. Do you think home schooling via the Internet will be common in the future?
4. What would you say if your son/daughter wanted to quit school and study at home?
5. If you moved to an English speaking country for one year, would you home school?

Japan’s Fake Food

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is an old saying, ‘we eat with our eyes’. Many instances we’ve proven that this could be true.

Realistic-looking food are used as an advertising tool all over Japan. Various food items on display are not real but they look so tempting, you’d want to eat them!

Watch the video and read the transcript to know more about this Japanese culture that is both an art and a business.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tasty-to-the-eyes-japans-fake-food/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of realistic-looking food displays?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that when it comes to food, “before you eat, observe it”?
  3. According to the video, why is plastic food important in Japan?
  4. Based on the video, how are some of the food made? What are some of the equipment they use?
  5. Have you been to Japan? Would you like to visit?

Top 10 Fascinating Facts About the Philippines

B2 – Upper intermediate

Here’s an interesting video you can watch to know a little more about the Philippines. Be ready to practice your speaking skills by answering the different discussion questions with your teacher.

Discuss:

1. Talk about some of the facts that you learned in the video. Which one did you find interesting?
2. Have you been to the Philippines? What do you already know about the country?
3. Share some interesting facts about your own country.

Electric Car

B2 – Upper intermediate

An electric car uses electrical energy stored in  rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device. With the current problems in climate change, more people are looking for alternative energy sources. Some experts say that using electric cars is one of the best solutions in dealing with fuel demands and pollution.

Read the article below to know more about Tesla Motor’s electric car.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1507/150721-electric-car.html

 Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of electric cars?
2. What would future cars be like?
3. How will electric cars affect traffic and road safety?
4. What are your preferences when it comes to vehicles?